German military forces/Related Articles

Parent articles

• Germany [r]: A country in north-western continental Europe that is a major political and economic world player. ^[e]
  • Second Reich [r]: Add brief definition or description
  • Weimar Republic [r]: Post-First World War democracy government in Germany, created in 1918 and ending in 1933 when the new Weimar Chancellor, Adolf Hitler, took control through parliamentary maneuver and became dictator ^[e]
  • Third Reich [r]: The German state under National Socialism, 1933-1945 ^[e]
  • German Federal Republic [r]: Add brief definition or description
  • German Democratic Republic [r]: Add brief definition or description

Subtopics

Overall organization

• Reichswehr [r]: German defense organization under the Weimar Republic; limited by the Treaty of Versailles but with a clandestine general staff and rearmament function in the Truppenamt ^[e]
• Wehrmacht [r]: The combined regular military forces (i.e., excluding the SS) of Nazi Germany, under the High Command of the Armed Forces (Oberkommando der Wehrmacht), including the Army (Heer), Navy (navy) and Air Force (Luftwaffe) ^[e]
  • Oberkommando der Wehrmacht [r]: (OKW) In Nazi Germany, the High Command of the Armed Forces, or the military staff office in direct support of Adolf Hitler ^[e]
• Bundeswehr [r]: German military establishment after West German rearmament (i.e., Wiederbewaffnung) and then reunification of the Germanies ^[e]

Ground forces

• Reichsheer [r]: Ground forces component of the Weimar Republic Reichswehr ^[e]
• Heer [r]: Literally, the German word for "army", but it is specifically applied to the German Army in World War II, although that is commonly and incorrectly known as the Wehrmacht (the umbrella term for all air, army and naval forces). ^[e]
  • Oberkommando des Heeres [r]: (OKH) German Army headquarters under the Third Reich; effectively the headquarters for the Russian Front ^[e]
    • Ludwig Beck [r]: (1880-1944) General in the German Army, became f Army Chief of Staff in 1933 with the rise of the Nazis but removed in 1938 for plotting against the regime; member of the German Resistance; committed suicide after the failure of the 1944 assassination attempt against Hitler; the conspirators planned to install him as Head of State ^[e]
    • Franz Halder [r]: Add brief definition or description
    • Kurt Zeitzler [r]: Add brief definition or description
    • Adolf Heusinger [r]: (1897-1982) Generalleutnant and General of the Bundeswehr; OKH Chief of Staff (10 Jun 42 - 21 Jul 42); injured in 1944 assassination attempt against Hitler; Bundeswehr Inspector General (1957-1961); Chairman,NATO Military Committee (1961-1964) ^[e]
    • Heinz Guderian [r]: (1888-1954) Generaloberst; noted innovator of mobile warfare and blitzkrieg; Panzer group commander; OKH Chief of Staff (21 Jul 42-28 Mar 45) ^[e]
    • Hans Krebs [r]: Add brief definition or description
• Bundesheer [r]: Add brief definition or description

Naval forces

• Marine (Germany) [r]: Add brief definition or description
• Kriegsmarine [r]: Add brief definition or description
  • Oberkommando der Marine [r]: (OKM) Highest-level headquarters of the navy (i.e., Navy) under the Third Reich ^[e]

Air forces

• Luftwaffe [r]: The German Air Force, both the current and WWII organization; the current usage includes the forces after German unification ^[e]
  • Oberkommando der Luftwaffe [r]: Add brief definition or description

Related articles

• Schutzstaffel [r]: A Nazi German organization, the "SS". technically part of the National Socialist German Workers' Party but in many respects a "state within a state", its functions intermingled with government offices in a manner characteristic of Adolf Hitler's desire to keep final control. While it is best known for its security and genocidal operations, it also had major economic and regular military roles, a far growth from its original role as Hitler's personal bodyguard ^[e]
  • Waffen SS [r]: Add brief definition or description